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U.S. Senate Democrats vote to protect Iran nuclear deal

U.S. President Barack Obama scores a foreign policy victory after a Republican-backed effort to kill the Iran nuclear deal is narrowly blocked in the Senate. Vanessa Johnston reports.

TRANSCRIPT +

A Republican-backed effort to kill the Iran nuclear agreement is blocked by Democrats in the U.S. senate.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN LOUISIANA SENATOR BILL CASSIDY SAYING:
"On this vote, the yeas are 58, the nays are 42, three-fifths of the senators duly chosen and sworn, not having voted in the affirmative, the motion is not agreed to."
Democrats and independents voted against the measure, which would have advanced a resolution of disapproval over the Iran deal.
Had it gone forward, President Barack Obama would have been barred from lifting many U.S. sanctions on Iran, a key part of the nuclear accord -- a major foreign policy victory for the president.
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to bring a similar vote next week.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, MITCH MCCONNELL, SAYING:
"What are you protecting him from? We'll have a chance next week...one more chance."
The Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid, said the deal will stand.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SENATE MINORITY LEADER, HARRY REID, SAYING:
"There is now no doubt whatsoever that the United States Congress will allow this historic agreement to proceed."
By law, Congress has until September 17 to pass a resolution disapproving the Iran nuclear deal, but it looks increasingly unlikely Republican efforts will succeed.

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